01 Dec 2013

The Kweneng District AIDS coordinator, Ms Theresa Makati has commended women in the Kweneng East for rising above their life challenges by embracing the grow programme offered by Hope Worldwide Botswana in conjunction with Program Concern International (PCI) organisation.

With a population of 256 833, Kweneng East has close to 17 per cent of people living with HIV infection plus a low literacy level with just under 12 per cent of its people having received non formal education.  “Other serious challenges in the area included poverty, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence and high number of school drop outs,” Ms Makati stressed.  

Now through the Hope Worldwide and PCI program, she said, 318 women and 15 men have been engaged and since the initiation of the model in September 2012, they have raised more than P49 000 with their weekly contribution of P5.

She also said that Hope Worldwide Botswana as a Christian based non-profit organization, has done an incredible job since 2005 as it has produced self-reliant women whom at first most of them, sat on their talents, folded their arms and some given up on life.

Ms Makati revealed that through Hope Worldwide Botswana, there is a bakery in Mmanoko, run by women, which supplies Mmanoko Primary School with bread once a week. 

For his part, the Director for Program Concern International, Kenalemodisa Tiroeng, said his organization is planning to spread the Grow model throughout the country and that the Barclays Bank Botswana has donated P884 000 to make that possible. 

Mr Tiroeng said the main objective of the model is to eradicate poverty and educate people on social, health and economic issues.“The women are encouraged to be self reliant, their groups are lead by them. They are also allowed to take loans from the money that they have saved only to buy groceries, school uniform and to start small businesses,” Mr Tiroeng explained.

He further explained that the Grow model is different from the normal society groups as it includes problem solving and educational sessions.

When giving testimony about the Grow model, Khumoetsile Sesiane of Borakalalo ward in Molepolole said, the program has united the neighborhood, as they now know each other’s level of tolerance and problems.

Mrs Sesiane said that she has learnt a lot from the program as she now knows the proper way of relating with her husband and children.

“We have also learnt how to honor and worship God and we are totally changed people. We were needy people who never thought will be some day entering into a bank to deposit money. We are so grateful for Hope Worldwide Botswana,” Mrs Sesiane concluded. Ends